Residents urged to prepare as winter storm nears

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -

With a winter storm on its way to the Upstate, officials are advising residents to use this warning as a time to prepare.

The SC DOT recommends all drivers either purchase or put together a winter weather emergency kit to keep in their cars. They say these kits should include a flashlight with extra batteries, a snow brush with ice scrapper, snacks, bottled water, a blanket or other winter accessories, booster cables and road flares.

Officials advise drivers that if you don't have to be on the roads, stay home. But in the event you must travel out, the idea of the emergency car kit is that if your car were to get stuck in snow or slide off the road due to icy conditions, you would have the necessary supplies to stay warm and hydrated while waiting on emergency responders.

Another big concern as this storm heads our way is the likelihood of power outages. Forecasters say the storm could produce freezing rain, which could cause power lines to break.

Officials are recommending residents get their flashlights out ahead of the storm, check the batteries or purchase new ones and also stock-up on non-perishable food. If the outage lasts more than a few hours or you find your house too cold to stay in, call your local Red Cross.

Often times they'll set-up temporary emergency shelters to provide residents in need, with a safe, warm environment.

FOX Carolina will continue to have full team weather coverage as this storm nears. Just stick with FOX Carolina.com for updates.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File). FILE - In this May 22, 2018 file photo, actor Morgan Freeman attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala in New York. Freeman is apologizing to anyone who may have felt “uncomfortable or disrespected” by his behavior....

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Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>